The South County Tourism Council will unveil their gift to Westerly tomorrow, Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 1PM at the Westerly Train Station.
The 19th century bronze sculpture by Italian artist Odoardo Tabacchi was purchased by South County Tourism Council president, Louise Bishop on an online art auction website. “When I saw her, I felt like she was part of our seaside,” Bishop says. “I knew I had to have her and that she belonged in Westerly.” Bishop has been working with the town to find the right spot and settled on the Westerly Train Station.
La Tuffolina is one of six sculptures by Tabacchi created circa 1880-1890 and is cast from the original marble sculpture that was debuted at the Paris International Exhibition in 1878. The sculpture gifted to Westerly is placed on a granite pedestal donated by Comolli Granite Company.
“Tuffolina is one more layer of public art,” adds Bishop, “that can be enjoyed by visitors and locals alike for years to come.”
Bishop is responsible for bringing public art to South County and the entire state of Rhode Island first via the Atlantis RIsing International Sand Sculpture Competition and soon the Thomas Dambo Trolls that are coming this May to Ninigret Park.
“We hope you enjoy La Tuffolina as much as I do,” says Bishop.
About South County Tourism Council
The South County Tourism Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the towns of Charlestown, Coventry, East Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, West Greenwich and Westerly as a single leisure travel destination known as “South County”. For more information, please visit southcountyri.com.
